The World's Smallest RFID
IC
(Radio Frequency Identification Integrated Circuit)
U-chip
Electronic Numbering of Products and Documents using the "µ-chip" (or mu-chip) supported by a Networked Database unleashes new Business and Life Style Applications that facilitate innovative Manufacturing, Distribution, Consumption, Tracking and Recycling operations.
Concept
The RFID, wireless semiconductor integrated
circuit that stores an ID number in its memory, was proposed about a decade ago
as an alternative to the barcode. Its use, however, has so far been limited to a
few applications where its advantages offset its relatively high cost.
*Size compared to a grain of rice
The µ-chip is Hitachi's response to resolving
some of the issues associated with conventional RFID technology. The µ-chip uses
the frequency of 2.45GHz. It has a 128-bit ROM for storing the ID with no
write-read and no anti-collision capabilities. Its unique ID numbers can be used
to individually identify trillions of trillions of objects with no duplication.
Moreover with a size of 0.4mm square, the µ-chip is small enough to be attached
to a variety of minute objects including embedding in paper.
Manufacturing, distribution and tracking systems can be built or enhanced using
the µ-chip with an event-driven accumulation of, and on-demand access to,
information stored in a database through the network. By coupling this database
with the versatility of the µ-chip new business and life styles applications can
now be brought to reality. These new applications allow manufacturing, commerce
and recycling processes to be operated in a way that has not been possible
before.
*Size compared to a human fingertip